How Fox and Geese Plays
One fox sits in the middle of an English cross of 33 points. Thirteen geese hold the northern arm. Geese move first: they may step south or sideways, never back, and they never capture. The fox may step in any orthogonal direction or jump an adjacent goose. Nine geese taken wins for the fox; a trapped fox loses. Pick an AI level and a seat, then start.
What You Are Playing
This is the common English hunt, not Tablut and not Fox and Hounds on a chessboard. The board is a 7×7 lattice with the four corners cut away, leaving 33 points. Pieces sit on intersections and move only along orthogonal lines.
The fox starts in the centre. Thirteen geese fill the north of the cross. Geese open. After each goose step the fox may walk one point or jump one goose onto the empty point beyond it. A jump is optional; the fox may step instead.
It looks like black and white stones on kaya wood. In play it is about closing jump landings and keeping the fox from slipping south. The rules page covers the fine print; if you want the feel of the hunt, start with the AI board above.
Thirty-Three Points
Do not hunt for square centres. Fox and Geese is played on the intersections of an English cross. Orthogonal neighbours are linked; the cut corners are simply wood. From move one, practise asking whether the fox already has a jump.
The Fox Jumps, the Geese Surround
If a goose sits next to the fox and the point beyond is empty, the fox may jump and take that goose. Nine captures win. Geese cannot capture or retreat; they win by leaving the fox with no legal move. A jump is never forced.
Hints Follow Your AI Level
Choose from multiple AI levels, then play as geese to move first or as the fox to reply. Hints use the same level, and undo rewinds both your move and the AI response. After the game, replay the turn when a jump landing was left open. All AI calculation stays in your browser.
33intersection points
1fox in the centre
13geese on the north arm
9captures to win as fox
